The bacteria that cause back pain?

Antibiotics are being studied by Danish scientists as one of the new methods in treating lumbar pain.

25% back pain due to inflammation

Lumbar pain is one of the most common health problems. Many patients with back pain in the first 3 months of treatment in normal ways but 50% continue with back pain and suffering because of it.

Carrying heavy objects and sleeping on soft cushions is a common cause, but in many cases it is due to slipping of the disk or herniated disc. However, new studies show that bacteria are also associated with this persistent pain after MRI results in patients with disc herniation indicate swelling around the spine. Photographs showed that this occurred in 7 of 10 patients with disc herniation. Patients with normal discs do not have this abnormality.

Scientists believe that more than 1 in 4 cases of back pain is caused by infection, rather than mechanical causes such as wrong posture or improper lifting.

In a prospective study, 29 patients with low back pain were treated with amoxicillin-clavulanate antibiotics for 3 months. During the course of treatment, 52% of patients reported that their condition was significantly reduced and 24% felt better.

Researchers believe that when the disk is slipped out, the bacteria will invade and cause inflammation. 'The culprit' found in more than 50% of patients is caused by acne bacteria called Propionibacterium and Coryne propinquum bacteria. The appearance of bacteria will cause the immune system to react - leading to visible bone changes.

Other experimental studies also support this hypothesis.

Where does this bacterium come from?

Bacteria can be found on the skin and in the mouth and often penetrate the bloodstream through the gums, excessive brushing of teeth can also cause gum bleeding.

'Normally these bacteria do not cause any problems, it is anaerobic and that means that it cannot grow in the presence of oxygen. But in the slipped disc, blood is not provided and it can travel to these night plates, the body will react, resulting in lower back pain , 'said Dr. Hanne Albert, research leader of the Research Center. Rescue Back in Denmark (Denmark).

Antibiotics - New drugs for back pain?

In Danish scientists' research, more than half of patients improved their symptoms after 90 days of daily dose antibiotics. A larger survey is being conducted with results to be announced later this year.

Osteoarthritis specialist David Blake, National Hospital, judged: 'If these results are recognized and are from a larger test, this will certainly be a big step and equivalent to detection. Stomach ulcers are caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. This will be a great surprise for science and it will save millions of lives'.